Counter Terrorism Response Unit

The Counter Terrorism Response Unit (CTRU) (Simplified Chinese: 反恐特勤队; Traditional Chinese: 反恐特勤隊) is a police tactical unit of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). It was the first police unit in Asia dedicated to counterterrorism and hostage rescue patrols.^[4]

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Quick Facts Active, Country ...

Counter Terrorism Response Unit
反恐特勤隊 (Chinese)
Current CTRU patch
Active	July 2009 - present
Country	Hong Kong China
Agency	Hong Kong Police Force
Type	Police tactical unit
Role	Air assault Bomb disposal CBRN defense Clandestine operation Close-quarters battle Counterterrorism Crowd control Direct action Executive protection Force protection Hostage rescue Law enforcement Manhunt Reconnaissance Special operations
Operations jurisdiction	Hong Kong
Part of	Counter Terrorism and Internal Security Division^[1]
Motto	關懷與勇毅 Cares and Dares^[2]
Abbreviation	CTRU
Structure
Officers	141 (2011) ^[3]

History

The CTRU was established in July 2009 with support from the HKSAR government.^[5] In December 2010, the CTRU was deployed on its first operation to protect the East Asian Games with the SDU and VIP Protection Unit.^[6]

In June 2022, the police force publicly unveiled a grey-blue uniform for the CTRU.^[7]

In May 2024, the HKPF announced that the CTRU will absorb the manpower of the Railway Response Team (RRT).^[8]

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Duties

The jurisdiction of the CTRU covers the whole of HKSAR, except for the Hong Kong International Airport which is under the protection of Airport Security Unit. The CTRU executes tasks by the counterterrorism strategies, which is 'Defense, protection, guard, investigation and restoration', of the Police Force and assists the SDU if necessary.

The CTRU is responsible for the security of government buildings, LOCPG, Diplomatic missions, infrastructures, ports, railways, gathering places (including HKCEC) and any structures with potential terrorist threats.^[9]

The CTRU can be tasked "to handle bomb threats, escort explosives or CBRN materials".^[10]^[11]

It also tasked with anti-irregular military, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, executive protection, high-risk tactical law enforcement situations, protecting high-level meeting areas, providing security on locations that are at risk of attack or terrorism, raiding quickly to capture or kill (if necessary) high-value targets, supporting crowd control (if necessary), and tactical special operations.^[12]^[13]

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Organization

The CTRU's structure is reportedly based on the NYPD's Hercules Team.^[14]

CTRU Headquarters: receiving direct orders from the Counter-terrorism Department.
- Operation: At the beginning of CTRU's establishment, the number of the force is projected to reach 141 (reached in 2012)^[15]^[3]
  - Action Squad (Cougar)
  - Action Squad (Trooper)
  - Action Squad (Ranger)
  - Action Squad (Unicorn)^[16]
- Training and development

Equipment

Personal equipment

Combat helmet
- Team Wendy Exfil LTP Ballistic
- Garanti Kompozit Ballistic Protective Helmet (ACH HIGH-CUT MODEL)
- Ops-Core FAST XP High Cut (For former RRT members)
Noise-cancelling headphones
- 3M Peltor Tactical 6 Headset
- Safariland LIBERATOR IV Headset
- Ops-Core AMP Headset
- EARMOUR M31 Series Headset (For former RRT members)
Gas mask
- Avon S10
- Avon fm54
Tactical vest
- ESKI custom made Plate Carrier
- C2R-MOR Ultralite Plate Carrier
- Ops Rapid Responder Armor Plate Carrier (For former RRT members)
Danner 15404, LOWA
Ballistic shield
- BAKER BALLISTIC custom-made Ballistic Shield
- ATFY custom made Ballistic Shield
Axe
Mark 3 Knife

Communication equipment

Motorola MTP850Ex
Survival lamps
NV goggles
Thermal scopes

Rescue equipment

Tactical Axe^[17]
Ladder

Medical equipment

First aid
Powerheart AED G3
Pulse oximeter

Weapons

More information Name, Country of origin ...

Name	Country of origin	Type	Notes
Glock 17	Austria	Semi-automatic pistol	Standard issue sidearm^[18]
Glock 19	Used by female members and during plainclothes duties
Heckler & Koch MP5	Germany	Submachine gun	Standard issue SMG
SIG MPX	United States	Inherited from the now merged Railway Response Team
SIG 516	Assault rifle	Issued since 2017^[19]